Transoral approach of Tongue base schwannoma

Introduction:

Head and neck schwannomas represent 25% of extracranial schwannomas. However, intraoral locations are very rare (only 1%). Schwannomas of the tongue base have been sporadically reported. The exceedingly paucity of literature reports in this location made them usually skipped out when evaluating a tongue base mass. We reported a rare case of tongue base schwannoma, discussed its management and reviewed the literature about similar cases.

Methods:

A comprehensive review in English language of tongue base schwannomas was done from 1972 to 2018 with extraction of the related articles and descriptive analysis of the collected data. Also, we presented a new case of 20-year-old girl that presented with a slowly enlarging mass of the tongue over 11 years duration. CT and MRI revealed a large well-defined tongue base mass. Biopsy revealed schwannoma. Transoral complete resection with safety margins was done.

Results:

Forty-three cases have been reported in literature with slight female predominance. Transoral approach was the commonest approach (76.7%) with the maximal diameter of schwannoma removed transoral was 7.9 cm.

Conclusions:

Despite their rarity, tongue base schwannomas should be included whenever a benign swelling is suspected. Transoral approach is still the standard approach with the least morbidities and best functional outcomes.

Publication History

Publication Date:
23 April 2019 (online)